A scold’s bridle, sometimes called a witch’s bridle, a brank’s bridle, or simply branks,[1] was an instrument of punishment, as a form of torture and public humiliation.[2] This device was overwhelmingly used on female victims and functioned to silence the victim from speaking entirely. It caused extreme pain and also physiological trauma in order to scare and intimidate the wearer into submission. It was often done so upon request from husbands or other family members. The device was an iron muzzle in an iron framework that enclosed the head (although some bridles were masks that depicted suffering). A bridle-bit (or curb-plate), about 2 in × 1 in (5.1 cm × 2.5 cm) in size, was slid into the mouth and pressed down on top of the tongue, often with a spike on the tongue, as a compress.[3] This prevented speaking and resulted in many unpleasant side effects for the wearer, including excessive salivation and fatigue in the mouth.[citation needed]